Sir Ian McKellen's reprise of his most famous role as the wizard Gandalf in the forthcoming film version of The Hobbit has been eagerly awaited by millions.

But in remarks which confused fiction and reality — and would certainly not have been approved by the scholarly Lord of the Rings author J R R Tolkien — Sir Ian revealed yesterday what Gandalf had been up to while waiting for filming on The Hobbit to start — he's been at home watching the X Factor.

Honours: Sir Ian McKellen with his Standard award and Moscow Art Theatre badge

The actor, 70, lauded for his performance this year as Estragon in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, said the wizard was an unlikely fan of the ITV talent show.

Asked about The Hobbit after receiving a special honour at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards yesterday, Sir Ian said: “Well I've read the script and I'm not allowed to talk about it, but you can rest assured it's excellent and we start production in early summer in New Zealand. I miss Gandalf. He's been at home actually. He's been watching the X Factor.''

Versatile: Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf in Lord of the Rings

Sir Ian said he found the show “riveting”, adding: “I wish all of the contestants well. What makes the difference from most talent shows is that they take the time to make it better and better. It is fascinating to watch and see how they manipulate the audience.”

But he was unhappy about the show's decision to broadcast on Saturday and Sunday nights: “I can't give up two nights to watch it.”

He also confirmed that when Waiting for Godot returns to the West End in the New Year, he will be joined by actor Roger Rees, instead of Patrick Stewart, in the part of Vladimir. Rees, British born but now based in the US, is known for his appearances in Cheers, but starred in the acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby, Sir Ian was given a special award for his half century of stage appearances by Evgeny Lebedev, executive director of the Evening Standard at yesterday's ceremony. Kevin Spacey, the artistic director of the Old Vic, who cast Sir Ian as Widow Twanky in Aladdin, also paid tribute.

Unlikely fan: Sir Ian sang the praises of X Factor contestants including Stacey Solomon

In a barnstorming acceptance speech, Sir Ian called for more cheap seats in London theatres, saying that the reason why people were queuing at 3am to see him in Godot was because the theatre had followed others in providing affordable tickets with £10 front row seats.

To loud cheers from the audience, which included actors Zoe Wanamaker, Samuel West and Anna Friel, he called on other theatres to follow suit.

He also called for the abolition of telephone booking charges and for theatres to introduce free cast lists as an alternative to programmes.

In addition to the special award, Sir Ian was also presented with a golden seagull award and lapel badge by the Moscow Art Theatre, which has never previously honoured actors outside Russia. A similar honour was also awarded to Spacey.